Evidence for a dipeptide porter in the lysosome membrane.

Small neutral dipeptides such as Gly-Gly are known to cross the lysosome membrane rapidly. The mode of dipeptide translocation was studied, using an osmotic-protection method. Results with dipeptide analogues, such as omega-amino aliphatic acids and taurine, indicated that dipeptides do not cross the rat liver lysosome membrane by unassisted diffusion. Using seven pairs of dipeptide stereoisomers, the penetration of the L-isomer was always found to be much more rapid than that of the D-analogue. It is concluded that the lysosome membrane contains a porter that recognizes and transports L-dipeptides.